If you're a Christian or thinking of becoming one, the information below should be really helpful in understanding what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Christians strive to obey these teachings but will always fall short. As Christians, we will sin for as long as we are on this earth. What a joy it is to know that Jesus will forgive us!
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
What does Jesus want his followers to do?
Jesus told his disciples to make new disciples and teach them to obey his commands (Matthew 28:20). He also said that if we obey his commands, we will live in his love (John 15:10). So, obeying Jesus’ commands is important.
Good News! Although some of Jesus’ teachings are difficult to understand, his commands are easy to understand. Jesus’ commands are clear, simple and practical, and they are easily grouped under the two great commands; Love God and Love Others. Some more good news; there aren’t very many of them and they’re mostly positive. Here they are:
Love God
Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. (Matthew 22:34-38; Mark 12:28-30; Luke 10:25-27)
Do things because you want to serve God; not because you want to impress other people. (Matthew 6:1-18)
Humble yourselves. (Matthew 18:4; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14)
Follow Jesus. Don’t wonder about other people. (John 21:20-22)
Pray – and keep praying. (Matthew 6:5-14; Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:1-8)
Don’t worry. God knows what you need. (Matthew 6:25-34; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 12:22-32)
Trust God – not earthly treasures. (Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:24; Luke 12:33-34)
Love Others
Love your neighbor the same way you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37)
Love each other the same way Jesus loved his disciples. (John 13:34; John 15:12)
Love each other – it is by your love for each other that the world will know that you are Jesus’ disciples. (John 13:35)
Love your enemies. (Matthew 5: 44; Luke 6:27)
Treat others the same way you like to be treated yourself. (Matthew :7:12; Luke 6:31)
Be Humble. (Matthew 23:11-12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14. See also Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; and Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45)
Pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
Do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27)
Bless those that curse you. (Luke 6:28)
Serve each other. (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:43-45)
Don’t judge others. (Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:37)
Don’t condemn others. (Luke 6:37)
Do more for others than they ask of you. (Matthew 5:39:42)
Forgive others. (Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:3-4)
Be merciful. (Luke 6:36)
If someone has done something that upsets or offends you, go and talk to them about it. If they won’t listen to you, take someone else with you and try again. (Matthew 18:16. See also Luke 17:3)
If you know that you have done something to upset or offend someone – go and talk to them and sort it out. (Matthew 5:23-24)
Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’. (Matthew 5:34-37)
Give to anyone who begs from you. (Luke 6:30)
Teach new disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded his disciples. (Matthew 28:20)
One of the things I love about these commands is that almost all of them are positive. They don’t start with “Thou shalt not…” – Jesus tells us what he wants us to do – not what we mustn’t do. I think that’s great. Even those very few commands that start with “Don’t…” actually seem positive in practice; “Don’t worry”, “Don’t judge others”.
Jesus is Lord.
The content above is from Peter Oliver at FollowingtheteachingsofJesus.com
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